सारार्थं वेदवेदानां शिवज्ञानमनाकुलम्
The essential meaning of the Vedas and Vedāngas is the undisturbed knowledge of Śiva.
लिंगानि भुवि शैवानि दिव्यानि च कृपानिधे
The Śaiva liṅgas upon earth, and the divine ones as well, O ocean of mercy,
याल्लिङ्मममलं दिव्यमरिच्छेदनवैभवम्
That liṅga of mine, pure and divine, possessing the glory of unbroken radiance,
नामस्मरणमात्रेण यत्पातकविनाशनम्
By merely remembering its name, all sins are destroyed.
अनादिजगदाधारं यत्तेजः शैवमव्ययम्
That Śaiva brilliance of yours, the eternal support of the world, is imperishable.
इति भक्तिमतस्तस्य कौतूहलसमन्वितम्
Thus, filled with devotion and curiosity,
दध्यौ च सुचिरं शंभुं पंकजासनसंस्थितः
He meditated for a long time upon Śaṃbhu, seated upon the lotus throne.
दृष्ट्वा यदा पुरा दृष्टं तेजःस्तंभमयं शिवम्
When he saw, as before, the pillar of radiant light that was Śiva,
पुनराज्ञां शिवाल्लब्धामनुपालयितुं प्रभुः
Again, having received Śiva's command, the lord sought to obey it.
शिवदर्शनसंजातपुलकांकितविग्रहः
His body was marked with goosebumps, born from the vision of Śiva.
शिवयोगमनुध्यायन्नस्मार्षं तव चादरात्
Contemplating the yoga of Śiva, I remembered you with reverence.
शिवभक्तिः परा जाता तपोभिर्बहुभिस्तव
Supreme devotion to Śiva arose in you, through your many austerities.
पावयंति जगत्सर्वं चरितैस्ते निराकुले 1.3.1.1.
Your deeds, free from disturbance, purify the entire world.
संभाषणं सहावासः क्रीडा चैव विमिश्रणम्
Conversation, cohabitation, play, and mingling together,
श्रूयतामद्भुतं शैवमाविर्भूतं यथा पुरा
Let the wondrous Śaiva manifestation of old be heard.
अहं नारायणश्चोभौ जातौ विश्वाधिकोदयात्
Both I and Nārāyaṇa were born at the dawn of the universe.
स्वभावेन समुद्भूतौ विवदंतौ परस्परम्
By our own nature, we arose and quarreled with each other.
परस्परं रणोत्साहमावयोरतिभीषणम्
Between us, the urge for battle was exceedingly fierce.
किमर्थमनयोर्युद्धं जायते लोकनाशनम्
For what purpose does this battle arise between these two, bringing destruction to the worlds?
समयेऽस्मिन्स्वयं लक्ष्यो मुग्धयोरनयोर्भृशम्
At this very moment, both of them, deluded, are intensely focused on each other.
वेदेषु मम माहात्म्यं विश्वाधिकतया श्रुतम्
In the Vedas, my greatness is heard as surpassing all.
सर्वोपि जंतुरात्मानमधिकं मन्यते भृशम्
Every living being considers itself to be the highest, indeed.
यद्यहं क्वापि भुवने दास्यामि मितिमात्मनः 1.3.1.1.
If I should set a limit to myself anywhere in the universe—
इति निश्चित्य मनसा स्वयमेव सदाशिवः
Thus, having resolved in his mind, Sadāśiva himself—
अतीत्य सकलाँल्लोकान्सर्वतोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन्
Surpassing all the worlds, blazing on every side like fire—
अनाद्यंततया चाथ दृगार्तौ संव्यतिष्ठताम्
Then, being without beginning or end, he stood between the two, who were afflicted by rivalry.
आवयोः पुरतो जाता वाणी चाप्यशरीरिणी
Before us both, a bodiless voice arose.
युवयोर्बलवैषम्यं शिव एव विवेक्ष्यते
It is Śiva alone who will discern the difference in strength between you two.
आद्यंतयोर्यदि युवामीक्षिषाथां बलाधिकौ
If you both wish to see who is superior in strength, from beginning to end—
अहं विष्णुश्च गतिमान्विचेतुं तद्व्यवस्थितौ
I and Viṣṇu, endowed with movement, stood firm to ascertain that.